The original palace that contains the Houses of Parliament
was built by King Edward the Confessor. It contains both the elected House of
Commons and the appointed House of Lords. Big Ben is also located in the
vicinity.
Tours of the Houses of
Parliament is open to overseas visitors when Parliament is not in session,
generally August, part of September, and early October. Tours last about
seventy five minutes and, starting at the Sovereign's Entrance, the route
includes Queen's Robing Room, Royal Gallery, Prince's Chamber, House of Lords
Chamber, Peers' Lobby and Corridor, Central Lobby, Commons Corridor and
"No" lobby, House of Commons Chamber, St Stephen's Hall, Westminster
Hall, and New Palace Yard.
The Houses of Parliament is closest to the Westminster
underground station.
London Dungeon
For a rather offbeat and somewhat creepy experience, there
is nothing quite like the London Dungeon. Exhibits depict every atrocity known
to history, including burning at the stake, decapitation, boiling in oil, and
impaling. There’s a section that simulates a walk down a street in Victorian
London during the Jack the Ripper murders. Also depicted are the Great Plague
and the London fire of 1666. The
visit is not for small children or more sensitive adults.
The London Dungeon is closest to the Tower
Bridge underground station.
National Gallery
The National Gallery contains one of the largest collections
of European painting in the world, spanning from 1250 to 1900. There are also numerous
exhibitions going on at various times.
The National Gallery is closest to the Charing
Cross and Leicester Square
underground stations.
Imperial War
Museum
The Imperial War
Museum contains artifacts and
exhibits depicting Britain
at war from 1914 to the present. The museum contains a large number of military
equipment, fire arms, uniforms, and other military artifacts.
Lambeth North, Waterloo,
Southwark, and Elephant and Castle are the closest underground stations.